ISHS Acta Horticulturae 323: Symposium on Soil and Soilless Media under Protected Cultivation in Mild Winter Climates
CONTROL OF SALINITY IN BLACK PEAT USED AS A NURSERY GROWTH SUBSTRATE |
| Authors: | R. Tesi, D. Tosi, A. Fabbri |
| Abstract:
The research concerned the use of black peat, with high pH and salinity, of domestic origin, for nursery cultivation of lettuce seedlings. A mineral additive made of sodium silicates and phosphates (Agrosil LR), able to modify the structure of the substrate and its water retention capacity, and consequently the effects of salinity, was also studied. The additive was tested at the doses of 0, 5, 10, and 20 kg/m3 of substrate, taking also into consideration different nutritional regimes (with or without fertigation), and different physical conditions (with or without the addition of siliceous sand); the effects exerted by Agrosil LR were observed, in nursery conditions, on lettuce plants grown in polystirene alveolate containers (20 cc/alveole), at the density of 960 plants/m2. Agrosil LR at the dose of 5 – 10 kg/m3 appears effective in correcting the nutritional unbalances of the tested black peat, combined with a well-balanced fertigation. The addition of sand was less effective in overcoming salinity problems of black peat. | |
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